eMacs phased out of Retail Stores?

I happen to hit the Apple store in STL and noticed that at the kids table they've got all iMacs now - I was thinking the same thing.

Please oh Please Apple...do not phase out the eMac. They are the best solution for schools.

Please oh Please Apple...do not phase out the eMac. They are the best solution for schools.

Yeah, I agree with that, but they definitely need updates to stay competitive. Hopefully this signals a complete revamp of the eMac line, not a phasing out.

A school full of elementary students would trash iMacs.

Please oh Please Apple...do not phase out the eMac. They are the best solution for schools.

Actually I think iBooks are the best solution for schools. I've taught in computer classrooms, and with big computers like the eMac it's a real pain -- the computers get in the way, and you can't see the students. They shouldn't phase out eMacs, though -- they're great for regular classrooms where you just want a couple in the corner somewhere for special projects (and for teachers to use for e-mail, etc.).

They are probably phasing them out of the consumer market, and having them so that they are special order only for schools, like the education Mac mini or iMac G5 (no modem, etc...).

Actually I think iBooks are the best solution for schools. I've taught in computer classrooms, and with big computers like the eMac it's a real pain -- the computers get in the way, and you can't see the students. They shouldn't phase out eMacs, though -- they're great for regular classrooms where you just want a couple in the corner somewhere for special projects (and for teachers to use for e-mail, etc.).

I've got a friend who runs labs full of iBooks for a school district, he's no Mac-hater, but he says they spend 2 for 1 fixing the iBooks versus the PC laptops. :(

I'm certain Apple would be swift to suggest that schools look at the Mini and any ol' CRT, a solution possibly even better than an eMac, but nowhere near as convenient (not being all-in-one).

How about a CRT unit with a mac mini sized slot? Pop down a door on the front, slide in a mac mini, and then lock the door. Have all the ports replicated on the back or side of the machine. When something goes wrong, just slide out the mini and take it for service.

Just an idea.

I've got a friend who runs labs full of iBooks for a school district, he's no Mac-hater, but he says they spend 2 for 1 fixing the iBooks versus the PC laptops. :(

Well, that might be true from a service perspective (though I've never heard that before), but from the teacher perspective laptops are much better than desktops.